What scope for Africa for a 375 H and H

[old 30-06]

If all goes to plan then I am off to South Africa in March with my new rifle (variation willing), which will be a 375 H and H. I believe it will come as a bare rifle, so come on you big boys, what scopes have you got on yours ?

 

[old 30-06]

Perhaps I should add that we will be after Eland and Buffalo.

 

[old 30-06]

Has anyone on the forum got any reloading kit for the 375 H and H, brass, bullets, etc, that they wish to sell ?

 

[cullguy]

get up close and personal open sights no mod great fun used mine in africa on eland warthogs impalla and loved it .used to use it here on deer but firearms dept said could no longer be used in uk such a shame.

 

[Sjambok]

Has anyone on the forum got any reloading kit for the 375 H and H, brass, bullets, etc, that they wish to sell ?

Possibly RCBs 3 die set and maybe some brass, will check tomorrow.

 

[alled12]

Swarovski dangerous game scope Z8i 1-8x24 i believe they are the usual fair for that sort of trips.
World class glass should cover you for the quarry you have mentioned. Set of QD mounts as well.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[Selous]

I have a ZEISS Diavari 1.5-6x42 that works well on the .375 but the Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 is also an excellent scope, especially if you can get the EE (extended eye relief) version that is sadly no longer made. Many folks swear by the Swarovski 1.7- 10x42 as a great all round scope for the .375 as well. The main thing I look for is eye relief as you really don’t want the eyepiece to hit you at a critical time.

 

[Selous]

I have a ZEISS Diavari 1.5-6x42 that works well on the .375 but the Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 is also an excellent scope, especially if you can get the EE (extended eye relief) version that is sadly no longer made. Many folks swear by the Swarovski 1.7- 10x42 as a great all round scope for the .375 as well. The main thing I look for is eye relief as you really don’t want the eyepiece to hit you at a critical time. Which rifle are you getting?

Has anyone on the forum got any reloading kit for the 375 H and H, brass, bullets, etc, that they wish to sell ?

Do you have a preferred bullet in mind? Most recommend the 300g Swift A Frame or the 300g or 270g Barnes TSX for buffalo but there are others that are ok like the Hornady DGX and Woodleigh 350g if you prefer a bonded lead soft point.
If you need some once fired cases I could sort you some out.

 

[Dickie]

Not a .375 h&h but similar I used my S & B zenith 2.5 -10 x 56 illuminated. The PH was happy with it as I’d asked before going, it worked fine for the buffalo but the elland eluded us.

 

[Sika98k]

I use a Duralyt 1,2-5x36 with an illuminated reticle on mine. The red dot is useful in the shadows.

 

[CAG2011]

Hi, I used a Leica ERi 2.5-10x42 on mine. It has a fine 4A reticle with a illuminated dot. As Sika98k has said very useful when a dark animal is hiding in the shadows!

Echo what Selous has said, with eye relief and regarding bullet choice, though I used Peregrine 270 VRG3 which you can get here, they work very well!

 

[NickJ]

Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 on mine, seems to have enough eye relief.

I think 6x should be enough for Eland, even at 150m as they are, of course big beggars!

I'd agree with the illuminated reticule comment above as the buff especially have a habit of hiding in the shade in the heat of the day and they are, of course shade coloured animals.

Surprisingly I got a good deal on an ex demo one from Holland & Holland in their shop by Jermyn St as they are ditching Swaro for Steiner as Beretta own the latter brand as well as H&H now

On rounds - last year in Zim I borrowed a .375 and the PH said he liked Swift A frame (300 grain) first and, if not Barnes TSX

 

[welshwarrior]

Good express sights regulated to your choice of ammo then in quick release mounts a 1.5-6x42 on mine.

 

[Selous]

I think one thing to remember is that the .375 is a wonderfully versatile all rounder that spans plains game to dangerous game really well. The scope needs to reflect this versatility and have enough magnification to shoot an impala at 200m should that be needed whilst being able to turn down to 2x or below for a nerve racking follow up on a buffalo in dense cover (for which the .375 is adequate but not ideal). Detachable mounts are useful if your eyes can cope with iron sights but as age creeps up that can be difficult and it may be better to stick to a low power scope or red dot.

 

[old 30-06]

Hi Selous, Thank you very much for the advice on scope and bullets. I believe the rifle is a Bruno. I have listened very carefully to what you have said about long eye relief ! Just waiting on the Firearms Department.

 

[NickJ]

Hi Selous, Thank you very much for the advice on scope and bullets. I believe the rifle is a Bruno. I have listened very carefully to what you have said about long eye relief ! Just waiting on the Firearms Department.

Brno is now CZ and plenty of PHs use them so nothing wrong there

 

[Selous]

Hi Selous, Thank you very much for the advice on scope and bullets. I believe the rifle is a Bruno. I have listened very carefully to what you have said about long eye relief ! Just waiting on the Firearms Department.

If it’s a BRNO 602 then bear in mind the factory safety catch works the opposite way to normal ( push forward for safe and pull back to fire). The CZ550 has corrected this anomaly. It is possible to get the safety on a BRNO 602 changed if it is a problem. They are good solid rifles though and as @NickJ has said they are almost standard equipment amongst many PH in Africa

 

[Hanechdene]

I use a Zeis 3-15x42 on mine.

I have shot Buf down to Duiker with it.

You can modify the extractor on the CZ550 so that once the mag is empty you can drop a cartridge in without pushing it down into the mag for a quick reload.